Category: This Week

Big Events March 9, 2023 and beyond

Saturday, March 11

It’s a day of hockey games at SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) with NHIAA High School Hockey Championship games at 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets for each game cost $10 ($8 for ages 6 to 18 and 65+).

Saturday, March 11

Concord eatery Georgia’s Northside and Area 23 (254 N. State St. in Concord; 552-0137, thearea23.com) are holding a Chili Throwdown today at Area 23 from noon until 5 p.m. or when the chili runs out. A $20 ticket gets you access to the chili bar featuring four different chilis, according to an Area 23 Facebook post about the event.

Saturday, March 11

Mike McCarthy headlines Miked Up Comedy at Millyard Brewery (125 E. Otterson in Nashua; millyardbrewery.com, 722-0104) tonight from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $20. Find more laughs this weekend in Comedy This Week on page 34.

Sunday, March 12

Start your Oscar Sunday with a screening of Little Old New York, one of the top-grossing movies of 1923, at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre (40 Main St. in Wilton) today at 2 p.m., according to a press release. This silent film starring Marion Davies will feature live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis. A $10 donation per person is suggested.

Sunday, March 12

The New Hampshire Scottish Music Club will hold its monthly gathering today from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at Concord Community Music School (23 Wall St. in Concord). The group will play a “member tune” and a tune written by a guest at the last month’s meeting and also rehearse for upcoming spring concerts, according to nhscottishmusicclub.org.

Sunday, March 12

As Billy Crystal used to sing, it’s a wonderful night for Oscar. Watch the 95th Academy Awards at home (broadcast starts at 8 p.m. on ABC) or with a crowd at the Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord; 224-4600, redrivertheatres.org) Academy Awards Watch Party, which starts at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $50; play Oscar games and watch the ceremony on the big screen. Amy Diaz talks about what she’s rooting for on Sunday night in a story in the Film section, which starts on page 32.

Monday, March 13

Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord is holding a virtual book event with Sen. Bernie Sanders discussing his new book It’s OK To Be Angry At Capitalism today at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $32 and include a hardcover copy of the book. Register at gibsonsbookstore.com.

Monday, March 13

It’s the greenery you don’t want to see return in the spring. The Milford Garden Club is holding a program today called “Poison Ivy — What You Need to Know” at 10:30 a.m. at First Congregational Church Parish House (10 Union St. in Milford), according to a press release. Presenter Helaine Hughes of Poison Ivy Removal Co. based in Greenfield will discuss how to identify poison ivy in all seasons and distinguish it from other plants as well as how to clean clothing, tools and skin, the release said.

Save the Date! St. Patrick’s Day — Friday, March 17
In addition to the traditional Irish eats (see a rundown of area offerings starting on page 25), next Friday will feature loads of Irish tunes. Two shows to consider: The Spain Brothers will play the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $29. Or catch the Glengarry Bhoys at 8 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com). Tickets cost $35.

Featured photo. Marion Davies stars in Little Old New York (1923).

Big Events March 2, 2023 and beyond

Wednesday, March 8

The high-energy a cappella group Ball in the House is performing tonight at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St.) at 7:30 p.m. The Boston-based group has won several championships, including Boston Harmony Sweepstakes, and headlined the 2018 and 2016 China International Chorus Festival in Beijing, according to a press release. This event is free to attend. Visit walkerlecture.org.

Friday, March 3

The characters from Louisa May Alcott’s famous novel come to life inLittle Women, opening today at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., in Manchester) at 7:30 p.m. Follow the life of the four March sisters (Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy) and their mother the girls grow up and find love and happiness in Civil War and post-Civil War New England. The show will run Friday, March 3, through Sunday, March 19. The shows are on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 to $46. Visit palacetheatre.org.

Friday, March 3

The Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudon Road in Concord) will present the playVanities beginning tonight at 7:30 p.m. The play is a comedy-drama that focuses on three Texan women who began as best friends in their high school cheerleading years, went on to be sorority sisters, and eventually became incompatible due to the trials of adulthood, according to the website. The show will run through March 19. Tickets range from $16 to $25. Visit hatboxnh.com.

Friday, March 3

The monthly Super Stellar Friday program today at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord) will look at an experiment sent to the International Space Station by Team Cooke of UNH Manchester to study novel methods of antibiotic discovery in space. The experiment looked at what happens to bacteria in soil when sent to space. It was brought back down to earth in January, and the group will let the public know their findings thus far, according to starhop.com. Tickets to the presentation cost $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and students and $9 for kids.

Saturday, March 4

Head to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester) for a concert by Yung Gravy tonight at 7 p.m.Called a trend-setting rapper, Yung Gravy got his start in 2017 after dropping hit song “Mr. Clean.” Doors to the show open at 5:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $35. Visit snhuarena.com.

Wednesday, March 8

The Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) is hosting Pure Prairie League today at 7:30 p.m., doors at 6:30 p.m. Pure Prairie League, a country-rock group on its fifth decade, brought the popularity of the subgenre to the forefront of the music scene, according to ccanh.com, where general-admission tickets cost $53.75 (plus fees) in advance.

Save the Date! Saturday, March 18
Head over to Funspot (579 Endicott St. N. in Weirs Beach) for the Fun for Paws triathlon on Saturday, March 18. Groups will participate in candlepin bowling, minigolf and games (paintball, skee ball, and darts) to benefit Funds4Paws. The group with the highest score will win prizes and awards, as well as the people with the most fundraising. Registration fees start at $200. Check in time is 9 a.m., and the games will begin at 10 a.m. Visit funds4paws.org to register.

Featured photo. A cappella group Ball in the House. Courtesy photo.

Big Events February 23, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Feb. 23

LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) is bringing Takin’ It To The Streets, a Doobie Brothers tribute band, to perform today at 8 p.m. The performers will do all of the Doobies’ great hits as well as a few deep tracks. Tickets start at $25 and can be bought at labellewinery.com.

Friday, Feb. 24

Today, the Bank of NH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) is hosting a Black History Month Unity Concert. The show will feature Martin Toe and Destin Boy Official, two New Hampshire based hip-hop and Afro-beats artists. Both artists have recently released their debut albums. Showtime is 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are free and can be reserved at ccanh.com.

Friday, Feb. 24

Join the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) for Songs of a Natural Woman: A Carole King Tribute tonight and tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7:30 p.m. The show will feature the hits of Carole King, highlighting her 1971 solo album Tapestry, which won four Grammy awards. Tickets start at $30 and can be bought at palacetheatre.org.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Join Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Nashua) for a launch party for local author Elaine Isaak’s newest novel, A Wreck of Dragons. Isaak, who was featured in the Jan. 26 edition of The Hippo, specializes in fantasy and science fiction. Her newest book combines robots, dragons and outer space exploration as characters try to find a place for humans to live. For more information about this event, call 673-1734

Saturday, Feb. 25

The Concord Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1631 (6 Court St.) is hosting its 15th annual blues bash today starting at 6 p.m. There will be food, refreshments, raffles, items for sale, and, of course, live blues music. For more information about this event visit vfw1631.org.

Sunday, Feb. 26

Today is the first day of the Nashua Nor’Easter Run/Walk/Drive race organized by the United Way of Greater Nashua. There will be 5k, 10k, half-marathon and marathon routes available for racers to choose from. The event is self-timed, and money raised by racers will benefit nonprofits in the Gate City. Register to run or view maps and starting locations at tinyurl.com/uwnano23.

Save the Date! April 1
Celebrate the new season and warming weather at Springfest 2023 at Goffstown High School (27 Wallace Road) on April 1. There will be a kids’ carnival with a bouncy house, activities, slides and face-painting, plus food, 70 vendors, and a lot of fun. Tickets are $5, free for children 12 years old and younger. For more information email [email protected].

Featured photo. Author Elaine Isaak.

Big Events February 16, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Feb. 16

Join the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org, 669-4820) for a program about the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II today at 7 p.m. Bob Sheppard will speak about his father, James Sheppard, an aviation mechanic assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron, based at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, according to a press release. He was reassigned to the 301st FS and shipped to the European theater, where he was promoted to crew chief, and was honorably discharged after the war as a staff sergeant, the release said. Bob Sheppard will show part of his video Reflections of a Tuskegee Airman and answer questions, the release said. Tickets (which can be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 669-4877) cost $10 per person.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Anheuser-Busch (221 Daniel Webster Hwy. in Merrimack) is hosting a beermaster tour today starting at 11 a.m. The tour will give visitors a chance to see behind the scenes how Budweiser is made, as well as enjoying a brew of choice. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased at budweisertours.com.

Friday, Feb. 17

Tonight is the opening night for Leading Ladies at the Majestic Theatre (880 Page St., Manchester; majestictheatre.net, 669-7469). The comedy follows two Shakespearean actors as they try to lay claim to the inheritance of a recently deceased old lady. The catch? The men must disguise themselves as her precious British nieces, according to the website. Tickets start at $15 and curtain time is at 7 p.m. The show also runs Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 19, at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18

The Derry Frost Fest will take place today from noon to 3 p.m. with free family-friendly events throughout Derry including ice sculptures on the patio at Sabatino’s; a puppet show at the Parks and Recreation office (31 W. Broadway) at noon and 1 p.m; food trucks B’s Tacos and One Happy Clam at Benson’s Lawn, and Frosty the Snowman walking along West Broadway, according to derrynh.org/parks-recreation. Find more ideas for family fun in our Kiddie Pool column on page 21.

Saturday, Feb. 18

The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) presents Who’s Bad: Michael Jackson Tribute tonight at 7:30 p.m. All of the king of pop’s greatest hits will be performed at this high-energy show, according to the theater’s website. Tickets start at $35.50.

Sunday, Feb. 19

The World Was Yours, a play by William Ivers that includes bickering artists Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Bob Ross watching three living artists vying for a grant, will finish its run at the Hatbox Theatre (270 Loudon Road in Concord; hatboxnh.com, 715-2315) with a show at 2 p.m., according to Hatbox’s website. The show will also run Friday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults and $19 for seniors and students.

Save the Date! Saturday, March 18
Pick a side, police or firefighters, at the annual Battle of the Badges Hockey Championship on Saturday, March 18, at 1 p.m. at the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester). The two sides will battle it out on the ice, with proceeds from the game being donated to the kids and families of Dartmouth Health Children’s. Online game tickets cost $15 for ages 6 and up, day-of game tickets are $20 for ages 6 and up, with kids 5 and younger free. Visit getinvolved.dartmouth-hitchcock.org.

Featured photo. 1944 photo of James Sheppard preparing to fly reconnaissance mission with the British Royal Air Force from Italy as a flight engineer. Courtesy photo.

Big Events February 9, 2023 and beyond

Friday, Feb. 10

If you’re in the mood for flowers, check out the New Hampshire Orchid Society’s show and sale, which starts today (1 to 5 p.m.) and runs tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott (2200 Southwood Drive in Nashua). The show will feature speakers, exhibits, vendors, tours and displays, according to nhorchids.org, where you can find the lineup of programming and purchase tickets. A one-day ticket costs $10 for adults and $8 for age 65+ (admission is free for students with a current college ID and children under 12), according to the website. A three-day pass costs $20. Tickets will also be for sale at the door.

Friday, Feb. 10

LaBelle Winery (14 Route 111, Derry; labellewinery.com) is hosting a Valentine’s Day Disco today with Booty Vortex Band. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35 per person.

Friday, Feb. 10

Almost, Maineopens at the Epping Playhouse (38c Ladd’s Lane in Epping; eppingtheater.org) today at 7 p.m. The show follows the town’s residents as they fall in and out of love in the strangest of ways, according to the website. Tickets start at $15.

Saturday, Feb. 11

The Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org) is welcoming April Cushman to its stage tonight at 7:30 p.m. Charlie Chronopoulos will guest star. Tickets cost $29.

Saturday, Feb. 11

The Southern New Hampshire University Penmen men’s and women’s basketball teams will have games today against The College of Saint Rose at Stan Spirou Field House (2500 N. River Road in Manchester). The women’s game, their annual Pink Day game to raise breast cancer awareness, starts at 1:30 p.m. and the men’s game starts at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free. A fair in the lobby starts at 12:30 p.m. and includes silent raffles, face painting, a balloon aritst and more. See snhupenmen.com.

Saturday, Feb. 11

McIntyre Ski Area (50 Chalet Way in Manchester; mcintyreskiarea.com, 622-6159) is participating in the Vertical Challenge race today. The race is a series of casual competitions for skiers and snowboarders at different resorts across New England, according to the website. The race is free to participate in, with competitors only needing to buy lift time, according to the website, where you can sign up for the competition.

Saturday, Feb. 11

The New Hampshire Audubon is inviting Granite Staters to join in the annual Backyard Winter Bird Survey starting today at 8 a.m. and ending Sunday, Feb. 12, at 5 p.m. Count up how many birds and species visit your yard, and visit nhbirdrecords.org to report the findings. See nhaudubon.org.

Wednesday, Feb 15

Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St. in Concord; gibsonsbookstore.com, 224-0562) is hosting the Poetry Society of New Hampshire and Amanda Russell, who will be doing a poetry reading today at 4:30 p.m. Russell will read from her debut chapbook, Barren Years.

Save the Date! Saturday May 13
Monster Jam will come to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester) Saturday, May 13, at 1 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 14, at 1 p.m. See the “mechanical beasts” competing against each other to determine which monster truck is the best, according to snhuarena.com, where tickets are listed at ranging from $18 to $73.

Featured photo. orchids.

Big Events February 2, 2023 and beyond

Thursday Feb. 2

Today is the last day to purchase tickets for the Snowball Gala hosted by the Educational Farm at Joppa Hill. The gala will have live music, live and silent auctions, a photo booth, a surf and turf dinner, and more. The gala is on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 6 p.m. at the Manchester Country Club (180 S. River Road, Bedford). Tickets cost $100 a person and can be purchased at educational-farm-at-joppa-hill.square.site.

Friday, Feb. 3

Catch “Masters of the Telecaster” G.E. Smith and Jim Weider tonight at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com) at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40. Find more concerts this weekend in the concert listings on page 34.

Saturday, Feb. 4

The Queen City Rotary Club’s annual Comedy Bowl returns tonight at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral (650 Hanover St. in Manchester). A social hour starts at 6 p.m., a buffet dinner starts at 7 p.m. and the comedy starts at 8 p.m. with a lineup including Joe Yannetty, Jody Sloane, Jeff Koen and Rafi Gonzalez, according to queencityrotary.org. The event also features a silent auction and a cash bar with proceeds from the event benefiting youth charities and agencies in Manchester, according to a press release. Tickets cost $50; call 391-1110 to purchase.

Saturday, Feb. 4

There will be a Valentine’s craft and vendor fair at the Eagles Wing Function Hall (10 Spruce St. in Nashua) today from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be more than 40 vendors and crafters selling handmade goods, valentine-themed sweets and treats, and more. For more information, visit facebook.com/BazaarCraftEvents.

Sunday, Feb. 5

The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum (18 Highlawn Road in Warner) is hosting a mid-winter social today starting at 2 p.m. The social will have dancing, a potluck dinner and a performance by the Black Thunder Singers. Reservations are not required for this event. Visit indianmuseum.org for more information.

Wednesday Feb. 8

The Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester) is doing a special screening for the 100th anniversary of the silent filmSafety Last tonight at 7 p.m. The film will have live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis. Safety Last is a comedy that follows famous silent film actor Harold Lloyd’s character as he tries to make his mark on the Big City and impress his sweetheart in the process. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at palacetheatre.org.

Save the Date! Oscar Watch Party
Celebrate awards season with the Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord) with a special Oscar watch party on Sunday, March 12, at 7 p.m. The theater invites attendees to sit back, unwind and watch one of the biggest award shows of the season. Comfortable clothing, including pajamas, is encouraged. Tickets cost $50 and can be purchased online at redriv ertheatres.org. As part of its Oscar Party Weekend, Red River is also hosting an Oscar Party Trivia Night on Saturday, March 11, at 6 p.m. For this night, the dress code is Hollywood glamor and tickets ($90 per person or $760 for a table) for a red carpet experience, food (dinner is served at 7 p.m.) and a trivia game, according to the website. Trivia night will take place at the Grappone Conference Center (70 Constitution St. in Concord).

Featured photo. Jody Sloane.